County urges residents to be proactive after rabies cases in Atascocita

Melanie Feuk

Published 3:11 pm, Monday, April 27, 2015

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According to Martha Marquez, media specialist for HCPHES, an increase local rabies awareness has influenced the number of positive rabies cases.

According to Martha Marquez, media specialist for HCPHES, an increase local rabies awareness has influenced the number of positive rabies cases.

County urges residents to be proactive after rabies cases in Atascocita

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Atascocita community members became concerned, in early April, when reports of local rabid bat cases hit community forums following Harris County’s distribution of flyers warning residents of a recent sighting on the 12th Fairway in Atascocita.

The bat was discovered by 12th Fairway resident, Jim McIntire on Saturday, April 4.

“We were in the backyard talking around 3 p.m. or 4 p.m. in the afternoon,” said McIntire. “Out of the corner of my eye, I saw a black thing on the brick wall of my house. I thought ‘What should I do? This (bat) shouldn’t be out here at 4 p.m. and it’s not moving.’

“I caught it with the pool net and stepped on it. Then, I got in touch with animal control and they came out Sunday morning. They called back and told me that the bat was rabid.”

According to McIntire, Harris County Animal Control brought his three dogs in to administer shots in case they had come into contact with the bat.

“They asked if any of my dogs had touched it,” said McIntire. “I said no. If they had though, they would die, so they took them to get the first of their three shots. It’s frustrating - what do you do? I can’t keep the dogs locked in the house.”

Martha Marquez, media specialist for Harris County Public Health and Environmental Services, spoke on behalf of the Veterinary Public Health Division.

“As of today, we have had four bats test positive for rabies in Atascocita since 2014,” said Marquez.

“We had one dog test positive earlier this year, in January,” said Marquez. “Because this case increased awareness in people, we have had more submissions for testing, and therefore see an increase in number of positive cases.”

Information about the disease and how it is contracted are nonetheless essential for prevention and treatment of rabies.

According to Marquez, in Harris County, there are five types of animals that have the highest likelihood of being carriers: bats, skunks, coyotes, foxes and raccoons.

“Any bats found during the day, if you can safely, trap them,” said Marquez. “Then call your animal control agency. Do not throw the bat away and do not wait to call.

“We get phone calls about rabies all the time. We usually respond within 24 hours. Our veterinary public office does assessment for exposure. If there is an exposure, then we work with whoever is involved to make sure they receive the appropriate treatment.”

Marquez continued to explain some of the principle methods of preventing and properly handling rabies.

“We always recommend for people to maintain current rabies shots on all dogs and cats three-months-of-age and older,” Marquez said. “Avoid all animals if they are not your pets, especially skunks or bats that are seen during the day. If anyone thinks they’ve come in contact with a rabid animal, seek medical care and report all animal bites or scratches that break skin to the local animal control agency.”